Le Roman Bleu — Restaurant in Les Sables-d'Olonne

We hadn't reserved, but were shown a table at the back provided we could let them have it back 90 minutes later. No problem, just a main and dessert for 2 adults, 2 kids, no complications. We were then ignored until 2 people were seated next to us and our orders taken. Then our drinks came and my glass of red wine was tipped over the table and me. Profuse apologies and offer of laundry payment which we declined...but we were then forgotten again. Our neighbours who'd arrived after us had now been served their food - we with our earlier order and 2 young kids, still without anything, no bread brought or even offered. No apology for the delay, even when I chased it. Food came - it was fine, perfectly acceptable. Desserts ordered (2 cafés gourmands, 2 ice creams - again, nothing tricky) and another 15 minutes went by. Chased the desserts and various blank expressions and no apologies later, we couldn't take it any more and we started leaving. I asked to pay and expressed my disappointment. Even paying wasn't possible! "The desserts are nearly ready", "I need to check with my manager". As I was once more made to wait, I left. The maître d' soon caught me up and we went back to pay. The owner tried to tear a strip off me for stealing from the workers. She was quite wrong, I had left without paying the restaurant (I don't pay the workers directly, obviously) because they had failed to deliver a service. I of course did pay, I'm not a deadbeat, hopefully this might be a wake-up call not to take on more custom than they can properly deliver. But I...

Wonderful little restaurant. I chose from the €29.90 menu and had a wonderful starter of foie gras with a delicious chutney, steak with Noirmoutier new potatoes (and locally-produced salt it almost goes without saying!) and a wonderful cheese board to finish.

The medium rare cooked steak was a delight and would have cost me as much as the whole meal if I had been in England.

Service was friendly and helpful, the wine list is short but well chosen and the ambience inside is elegant yet still welcoming.

A must visit if you are...

Déçu. Accueil zéro, nul. Désagréable au maximum. Cependant la carte des menus à l entrée très attirante. Des menus alléchants, suggestifs qui inspirent l appétit, le goût. La porte de toilette qui ne ferme pas. 34 degrés, nous avions un chien, même pas proposé une gamelle d eau. A l'apéritif des olives curry...basique.. sans plus il faudrait aimer le curry..Les mets pas de saveur très fade, mini quantité. L huître pochée normoutier mousse de pomme de terre condiments échalote et salicorne heureusement que la salicorne a relevée le goût du palais autrement pas de goût une seule huître qui est passée inaperçue j ai vu un trait de rouge j ai pensée que c était de la betterave rouge, mais non! Tres déçue. Les moules sans plus déjà mangées mieux sur île. L attente trop longue. Ils ont mis 45 mn entre l apéritif et l entrée. Ils m ont déposé une cuillère pour l entrée après cela il a fallu attendre 30 mn avant que l entrée n'arrive. Mon chien était impatient heureusement qu il n a pas aboyé.Je pensais après la dépose de la cuillère cela allait suivre, non! En tout nous avons dû attendre 1h40 pour un repas sans dessert et café. Prix cher pour la quantité et le goût...